Quincy Dynasty owner opens Asia Buffet in Framingham

Wednesday

Nov 28, 2007 at 12:01 AMNov 28, 2007 at 8:57 PM

"We wanted to bring something new to Framingham," says Wong, who also owns Quincy Dynasty, a Chinese restaurant in, yes, Quincy. "Our concept is new and our menu is totally different. Some of the dishes are new, not copied from other restaurants."

Bob Tremblay

Some addresses have an unappetizing habit of shoving restaurants inside a gigantic revolving door. In they come and out they go.

Framingham has a few addresses like that, including 700 Worcester Road. Over the years, this Rte. 9 locale has housed more eateries than there are calories in a double bacon cheeseburger. Well, almost. The list includes the Blue Danube, Tony Roma's, East Coast Oyster Bar and Restaurant, Scioletti's, Super Buffet and, most recently, Rainbow Buffet.

Richard Wong intends to remove this revolving door. His new restaurant, Asia Buffet, opened last month at the address, and he believes the eatery's concept and cuisine will keep customers coming in.

"We wanted to bring something new to Framingham," says Wong, who also owns Quincy Dynasty, a Chinese restaurant in, yes, Quincy. "Our concept is new and our menu is totally different. Some of the dishes are new, not copied from other restaurants."

Variety also serves as a spice of life at Asia Buffet. In addition to its signature dishes, the restaurant serves Japanese party platters packed with sushi as well as sirloin steak, duck, shrimp, fish and chicken dishes.

Wong also stresses that all the dishes are made to order and contain no MSG.

The all-you-can-eat buffet, meanwhile, offers more than 100 items with new dishes arriving every week.

Prices for the signature dishes range from $12 to $21. The Japanese party platters serve 3 to 4 people, 4 to 7 people and 7 to 10 people with prices ranging from $28 to $112.

For lunch, the buffet runs Monday through Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for $14; Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. for $16; and Saturday and Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. for $16.

For dinner, the buffet runs Monday through Thursday from 5:30 to 9 p.m. for $24; Friday and Saturday from 5 to 10 p.m. for $27; and Sunday from 5 to 8:30 p.m. for $27.

Children under 4 1/2 feet tall get half off the regular price while senior citizens receive a 10 percent discount. Free cake and gift are provided for birthday parties of six or more people.

The restaurant is open from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Asia Buffet also caters, provides takeout and offers gift certificates. It has a full liquor license.

The restaurant seats 210 and can accommodate parties up to 100. Catering is available for groups up to 500.

Its Web site is www.AsiaBuffetRestaurant.com.

Wong says the numerous businesses in the area and the high-traffic volume of Rte. 9 made the address attractive. "And Framingham needs a restaurant like this," he says.

Wong also points out that he has renovated the restaurant's exterior and interior. And in case you're wondering, the menu's front page notes that the eatery is under new management.

Having a veteran executive chef is another plus, says Wong, referring to Bor Lau. A Hong Kong native, Lau has more than 25 years of experience as a chef, most recently in Chinatown. Four chefs work under him.

The new offerings include such antipasti items as lobster fritters served with a sweet lobster reduction sauce ($14) and arancini - spinach, mushrooms and rice lightly fried and served with a marinara dipping sauce ($11).

The new salads include a beet and goat cheese salad ($9) and a pear and gorgonzola salad ($9).

New entrees include stuffed pork tenderloin - sliced and served with a mix of apples, pancetta, onion and sage with a port wine demi-glaze with mashed sweet potato and spaghetti squash ($24); and potato and leek-encrusted salmon - salmon filet topped with horseradish beurre blanc served with Yukon mashed potatoes and sauteed spinach ($22).

Biagio has also named its upstairs lounge. It's now called Plush.

The eatery, which opened in February, is located at 123 Moody St. Its Web address is www.biagiowaltham.com.